Tenant assistance & relocation services in Victoria
A dedicated team of tenant relocation specialists for the City of Victoria and Capital Regional District Municipalities
What we do
We are a boutique firm focused on Tenant Assistance, Relocation Services and Supports in the City of Victoria, British Columbia and Capital Regional District Municipalities; with our headquarters located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Our team of experts takes every day experiences to create customised relocation plans tailored to each household. Our process recognizes that every tenant’s needs are unique. By coordinating with community resources and housing supports, we help tenants successfully navigate the relocation process while ensuring Housing Projects are aligned successfully with municipal requirements.
Tenant Assistance and Relocation Planning in Victoria, BC
In 2025, the city of Victoria introduced the “Tenant Protection During Redevelopment” Bylaw (No. 25-044) . The purpose of the Bylaw is to protect and support tenants during redevelopment projects in order to mitigate the impact of displacements of tenants.
How can Sommerville help?
According to section 10.2, “If a redevelopment will result in the loss of twenty (20) or more rental units, the owner must engage a tenant relocation coordinator that is an independent third party, and not otherwise associated with the owner or applicant.”
Sommerville is an independent team offering tenant relocation services. We bring expertise and consistency, guiding tenants and developers through the redevelopment process from start-to-finish.
The Sommerville Way
Discover what sets us apart and how we support your project
Sommerville is a team of five relocation specialists, all directly employed, and focused on housing coming to life alongside tenant needs. We bring expertise and consistency, guiding tenants and developers through the redevelopment process from start-to-finish.
With experience across multiple jurisdictions, including Victoria, we help everyone to navigate tenant protections, provide supportive resources, and engage with all parties in a reliable and successful way. The Sommerville Way is to continue to set the standard for making tenant relocation a more personable and collaborative process. We strive for a win-win when it comes to housing.
Our results in numbers
30+
Years of guiding development & implementing tenant engagement and relocation
5
Active in 6 jurisdictions throughout Victoria, Metro Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley
~2,000
Households currently being supported through redevelopment, in all stages
Our services
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Our team practices transparent and responsive communication throughout the relocation process. We regularly develop clear, innovative communication plans that are designed for tenant and project needs.
Our engagement goal: Initiate opportunities for the benefit of our communities.
Includes:
Customised Tenant Relocation Plans, for the project scope and individualised tenant plans;
Specialising in virtual & in-person group and individual meetings;
Strategizing & liaising with municipalities, housing planners, tenants, & applicants; and
Provide consistent updates to ensure tenants are informed and supported.
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Whenever possible we advocate for robust and appropriate tenant support with attention to minimising the pressures of relocating. We strive to work with tenants and meet needs as best possible; individualised, pro-active and solutions oriented.
Includes:
Convey & explain relocation benefits and processes
Support tenant applications for housing programs (BC Housing, non-market providers)
Coordinate with social & community support workers
Advocate for equitable & transparent housing outcomes
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Every tenant’s situation is unique. This is why we establish early and ongoing dialog with tenants, ideally from the start of a development process. Dialog is key to effectively accommodate and fine-tune a relocation plan for each individual tenant.
Includes:
Household-by-household relocation planning;
Supplementary Housing Needs Module (ie. assessing core housing needs);
Assist tenants in securing interim housing;
Coordination and anticipation of required municipal reporting;
Cutting edge synthesis & management of Right of First Refusal processes;
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We outline the groundwork for a dynamic interchange that manages information professionally during tenant support processes. Our methodology ensures documentation is compliant and meets municipal reporting needs.
Includes:
Specializing in pro forma and interim reporting;
Preparing Public-Hearing & Report-to-Council materials and municipal submissions;
Maintaining compliance with City By-Laws and Policies.
Our approach, your project, implemented together
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“Your team approaches the end of a tenancy with empathy, and I’ve heard this from others as well.”
Housing Planner, Metro Vancouver
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"I wanted to specifically thank the team for their efforts in helping us with the whole process. They were always patient, helpful, and had all the information we needed. Without them, things would have been much more difficult."
Burnaby Tenant, TAP
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"Sommerville is the conscience of our project."
Applicant, Broadway Plan & TRPP
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"I'm glad I chose to have you and Sommerville and the foundation help with this move it's not at all stressful!!"
Vancouver Tenant, TRPP
Get in Touch
Contact the Sommerville team to learn more about tenant relocation services. We look forward to learning about your project and supporting tenants and developers throughout the process.
Tenants being served by the Sommerville team
We welcome you to reach out and schedule a time for assistance. Calls during office hours can generally be accommodated with a Tenant Relocation Specialist, and in many cases, we can offer in-person support based on needs.